In today’s time-pressed, constantly-connected society, we all seek ways to conduct our lives more effectively.

As the pace of daily living continues to accelerate, consumers often turn to the internet to handle the “business of life,” including shopping. If you think that spells doom for brick-and-mortar retailers, think again.

The fact is, physical store locations are more important than ever as shopping trends change and consumers seek out new ways to engage with their favorite brands. Retail developers are seizing this opportunity by creating mixed-use developments that combine the retail aspects of a shopping mall with other elements to create a “town center” ambiance in an open-air setting.

These mixed-use developments drive sales by giving people a reason to visit often, whether it’s to do some shopping, meet friends for a drink or dinner, catch a live music performance, or simply take a leisurely evening stroll. Shaded walkways, open plazas, fountains and other design elements encourage guests to relax and linger.

Creating retail experiences

Many forward-thinking retailers are taking advantage of the mixed-use concept to create new store environments that enhance the customer’s shopping experience.

“Experience is the word of the day in retail, and it is something that shoppers have come to expect in all types of centers,” reports Shopping Center Business, a leading retail industry publication.

“There’s no substitute for brick-and-mortar retail. People still want to browse, touch, examine and try on the goods,” said Paul D. Puma, a regional president with Kimco Realty, North America’s largest publicly-traded owner and operator of open-air shopping centers. The company has specialized in shopping center acquisitions, development and management for more than 50 years.

Kimco will soon break ground on Dania Pointe, a new lifestyle center serving the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. Dania Pointe will be a comprehensive community incorporating more than 100 national and local retail tenants and restaurants in almost 1 million square feet of space, complemented by up to 500,000 square feet of Class A office space, 1,000 luxury rental apartments and condominiums and two signature hotels.

“By turning shopping ‘inside-out’ in an open-air environment, we are aiming to maximize the potential of Dania Pointe’s prime location to create an exciting experience that will appeal to every type of consumer,” said Puma. “We are striving to create an active and thriving town center atmosphere unlike any other in the market — a new and different kind of meeting place for residents as well as the millions of visitors coming from the Fort Lauderdale airport and seaport.”

First phase set to open in 2017

Dania Pointe’s Phase One, projected to open in late 2017, consists of more than 300,000 square feet of dominant national and regional discount retail chains including anchor and medium-size junior anchor tenants, small shops and restaurants. Phase One groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in the next 90 days.

Phase Two will add upscale, full-price and fast fashion retail; restaurants; apartments and condominiums; Class A offices; hotels and entertainment venues in a “Main Street” setting.

Dania Pointe will be a comprehensive, walkable community that provides a distinctive experience for visitors and residents in the Greater Fort Lauderdale and South Florida market. Phase Two construction is expected to begin in 2017 as Phase One nears completion.

Dania Pointe’s easily accessible location puts it less than a 10-minute drive from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades as well as 20 minutes to the upscale communities of Weston and Plantation to the west; Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach to the north; and Hollywood and North Miami Beach, to the south. Immediately adjacent to I-95, it will serve as a central location for residents traveling north and south on I-95 and east and west on I-595.

Dania Pointe retail leasing opportunities as well as office development opportunities are now available. For more information, visit DaniaPointe.com.

http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2016/11/15/major-mixed-use-center-planned-for-fort-lauderdale.html